[Taiwan opens bidding for infrastructure upgrades.]

By Kim Hoo-ran -- "Korean CDMA (code division multiple application) equipment manufacturers are turning their eyes toward Taiwan as Chunghwa Telecom sets about to adopt CDMA in addition to the existing GSM (global system for mobile communications) standard for wireless phone service.

"Taiwan's state-owned telecom company is inviting bids later this month to replace the aging analog CT-2 system with a CDMA system and all the major names including Lucent Technologies, Motorola and Ericsson are expected to make offers.

"Also joining the bidding are Samsung Electronics, LG Information and Communications (LGIC) and Hyundai Electronics Industries (HEI), all eager to take a slice of the Taiwanese CDMA market as they increasingly look outward for more businesses.

"Increasing the stakes in the first round of bidding is Chunghwa Telecom's indication that it would continue to deal with the companies that participate in the first phase of the project.

"Despite their eagerness, however, whether they will succeed in Taiwan remains murky. "We've been looking into the Taiwanese market since last year but chances of winning a contract seems dim as there is a very stiff competition by well-known international names," said an LGIC official.

"Taiwan is joining a growing list of countries that have decided to adopt multiple mobile standards in anticipation of the 3G (third generation) mobile telecom services. Countries are currently divided into cdma2000, rooted in CDMA, and GSM-based W-CDMA (wideband-CDMA) camps as standards for IMT-2000 and having experiences with standards are seen as key to getting ahead in the race for the global IMT-2000 market.

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